Palestinian dies of wounds sustained during Gaza border clashes

Palestinians take cover from tear gas during clashes with Israeli security forces near the Gaza border fence on April 13, 2018MAHMUD HAMS (AFP)

The Palestinian health ministry in Gaza said Thursday that a 21-year-old man has died of injuries sustained after being hit in the head by a tear gas canister during violent protests along the border several weeks ago.

Ahmed Assi, 21, was seriously injured in the incident which took place during protests east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

Assi’s death brings to at least 129 the number of Palestinians killed in clashes with Israeli forces since mass protests along the Gaza border began at the end of March.

The resolution tasks UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres with the drafting of proposals for an "international protection mechanism" for the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

These could range from setting up an observer mission to a full-blown peacekeeping force, but action on any option would require backing from the Security Council, where the United States has veto power.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley dismissed the resolution as "one-sided" and accused Arab countries of trying to score political points at home by seeking to condemn Israel at the United Nations.

Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon assailed the measure as an "attempt to take away our basic right to self-defense."

He warned ambassadors that by supporting the resolution "you are empowering Hamas."

Israeli army officials say soldiers only use live fire according to strict regulations, and have accused Gaza terror groups of using the protests as cover to carry out attacks on troops or to attempt to stage a mass infiltration of the border.